sunburn

1 of 2

verb

sun·​burn ˈsən-ˌbərn 

sunburned ˈsən-ˌbərnd  or sunburnt ˈsən-ˌbərnt  ; sunburning

transitive verb

: to burn or discolor by the sun

intransitive verb

: to become sunburned

sunburn

2 of 2

noun

: inflammation of the skin caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation especially from sunlight

Examples of sunburn in a Sentence

Noun

He has a bad sunburn.

Use sunscreen to prevent sunburn.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

As a guy who doesn’t thrive in summer (hates shorts, sunburns way too easily, sweaty), this doesn’t feel like the natural season to take on a big read. —James Folta july 2, Literary Hub, 2 July 2025

As she’s ramped up to the release of Virgin, Lorde has been showing up sunburned, frizzy-haired, and sometimes even a little sweaty while performing live, posting on social media, and starring in music videos. —Valeriya Chupinina, Allure, 27 June 2025

Noun

Severe sunburns can also cause physical discomfort and psychological distress, including pain, irritability, embarrassment, and symptoms like fever and dehydration. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025

The best red blushes aim to recreate that exact effect: warm, radiant, and effortless, but without the sting of a sunburn or the unpredictability of a full-face flush. —Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 3 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from sunburned, from sun + burned

First Known Use

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1584, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sunburn

• adjourn
• concern
• decern
• discern
• downturn
• extern
• heartburn
• interne
• nocturne
• return
• unworn
• upturn

Kids Definition

sunburn

1 of 2 verb

sun·​burn -ˌbərn 

sunburned -ˌbərnd  or sunburnt -ˌbərnt  ; sunburning

1

: to burn or discolor by the sun

2

: to become sunburned

sunburn

2 of 2 noun

: a sore red state of the skin caused by too much sunlight

Medical Definition

sunburn

1 of 2 transitive verb

sun·​burn -ˌbərn 

sunburned -ˌbərnd  or sunburnt -ˌbərnt  ; sunburning

: to affect with sunburn

sunburned skin

sunburn

2 of 2 noun

: inflammation of the skin caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation especially from sunlight

called also erythema solare